A strategic public-private partnership has been established in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to modernize the region’s technical education system, under which there is a plan to establish a state-level Center of Excellence and a new training institute in Muzaffarabad to overcome youth unemployment and increase overseas employment.
The agreement was reached on Saturday in a high-level meeting chaired by the Minister for Technical Education and Food, Javed Iqbal Budhanvi. Key participants included Chairman AJK TEVTA, Mirza Aamir Mehmood; Secretary AJK TEVTA, Dr. Masood Ahmed Bukhari; and the head of Ujala Foundation, Raja Zafar, where a long-term strategy to modernize vocational education was discussed.
During the meeting, participants conducted a comprehensive review of the state’s existing vocational training structure, market needs, and global employment trends. Raja Zafar gave a detailed briefing on the role of the Ujala Technical Training Institute, highlighting its modern curriculum, industrial linkages, and success in making youth self-reliant through employment.
A key pillar of this new strategy is the proposed establishment of a state-level Center of Excellence, which will provide advanced technical training in line with modern technology and international industry standards. An agreement in principle was also made to create a “Takmeel Center” in the state capital, Muzaffarabad, under the management of Ujala Technical Education, which will serve as a model institution providing both theoretical and practical instruction.
Important decisions were also made regarding overseas employment, under which AJK TEVTA and Ujala Technical Education will collaborate to develop a workforce according to international standards. This initiative aims to help the youth of Azad Kashmir obtain better employment opportunities abroad by aligning course quality and certification with global standards.
To strengthen the hospitality and tourism sector in the region, it was decided that individuals trained and certified by AJK TEVTA and the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) will be given preference for jobs in hotels and related projects. AJK TEVTA will be responsible for developing the necessary legislative and policy framework to implement this preferential employment.
It was further agreed that AJK TEVTA will fully patronize the private sector to promote investment and open new employment opportunities for skilled youth.
Minister Budhanvi reiterated the government’s commitment to this initiative, stating that authorities want to see the youth become economically self-sufficient. He emphasized that “the dream of development and prosperity cannot be realized without modern technical education” and affirmed that the government is taking all possible measures in collaboration with the private sector to advance technical training and strengthen the state’s economy.